New Kettering University student club wants to carry concealed guns on Flint campus

FLINT, MI – Some Kettering University students want to start a
conversation about allowing the carrying of concealed firearms on campus.

And they've started a club to do it.

Kettering Students for Concealed Carry became an official
university club Aug. 1, and members are taking the opportunity to get students talking.

"We believe that while college campuses are usually safer
than other public places, we still think that anything can happen," said Kaity
Huff, KSCC vice president. "Calling this a gun-free space won't stop a crazy
person."

The group of roughly 20 active members out of the almost 900 students in their section wants to invite others to join the conversation.

A group of students has been discussing similar topics
since 2011, but becoming an official club allows them to reach out to more
students, club officials said. They want to dispel misconceptions about
concealed carry in general and on college campuses, as well as promote
conversation to change policy.

Changing policy is not to say that every student will be
carrying a gun, however, Huff said. The goal is to allow those with concealed weapons permits to
carry on campus, just like most public places.

Michigan law prohibits concealed carry weapons in all classrooms
and dormitories. Kettering, like almost all colleges in Michigan – except Michigan
State University – extends the ban to the entire campus.

Flint Mayor Dayne Walling, who is a member of Mayors Against Illegal Guns which aims to prevent gun violence, said he agreed with the current university policy of prohibiting firearms.

“The university has already made a determination about its policy based on safety of its students and campus,” Walling said. “I think each institution has the responsibility of setting policies for the public health of their staff and students.”

Even though Flint is ranked the most violent city in the nation, KSCC members say the group isn’t about violence in the area. In fact, there are many reports of college campuses being safer than other public areas, the club board members said.

They want to promote concealed carry on campus to give students, faculty and staff the right to carry concealed weapons just like other public areas and for self-defense in case something does happen. Concealed carry would be allowed only for those who have gone through the proper training to receive their Concealed Pistol License.

KSCC stems from the national group Students for Concealed Carry, which claims more than 43,000 college students, professors, staff and citizens involved. According to the national group’s website, group officials say it’s not fair to make concealed carry on campuses off limits just because colleges are safer places.

The mass shooting that took place Virginia Tech in 2007 was cited as an example of what can happen even when guns are prohibited on campus.

“While it may be safe to say colleges overall are less prone to crime than national averages, these numbers are useless in determining an individual’s personal vulnerability to robbery or rape, or a campus’ vulnerability to mass shootings,” the Students for Concealed Carry website states.

In the near future, the Flint club hopes to organize a town hall
meeting with speakers from both sides of the issue and invite the campus
community to join.

"As part of the college experience, Kettering
University encourages all of its students to engage in causes and issues that
they are passionate about," said Betsy Homsher, Kettering University vice
president of student life and dean of students. "As an institution, we are
always open to hearing feedback from students and we take those concerns
seriously."

The group meets Tuesdays around noon in the Sunset Cafe inside the Campus Center. The
group has seen an increase in interest and participation since becoming a club,
said Dan Keys, club president.

The Kettering Students for Concealed Carry Facebook group
has more than 150 members and more people have reached out to the club, he said.

The club hopes to not only discuss policy at Kettering but also address state and national policies.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, the group plans an Empty Holster
Protest, in which members will walk around campus wearing empty holsters, while talking
about club's position.

"It demonstrates that when are around this campus, we are
defenseless," said Keys, 22, of Northville.

In general, there is often a fear of the word "gun," Huff said.
The group hopes to defuse the fear and educate the campus community on concealed
carry laws and initiatives.

Looking at Genesee County as a whole, the interest in Concealed
Pistol Licenses (CPLs) is growing.

The number of CPLs in Genesee County has increased steadily
over the years, said Doreen Fulcher, Genesee County elections supervisor. In
2008, there were 2,405 CPL applicants. That increased to 5,083 in 2012.

In January of this year there were 787 applications, which
is up from 427 in January of 2011.

Kettering sophomore Hunter Casbeer was a class representative for Kettering Student Government when the group proposed the idea.

“Everyone’s reaction was ‘Whoa, are they wanting to get students to carry guns on campus?’ “ said Casbeer, 20. “It was sort of a shock to the people on the Senate at least.”

Their goals from what Casbeer gathered was to raise awareness and allow campus officers to carry guns, which he thought was a good idea.

But he doesn't believe it would be a good idea to have students carry guns on campus.

“But students would be a different story. I think it would cause more trouble. I couldn’t see students doing it," he said. “I honestly couldn’t see any reason for them to be carrying it. I feel like it’s pretty safe throughout Kettering.”

Freshman Shaun Smith, however, is in support of carrying concealed weapons on campus.

“I think it would be nice, because then people could learn to defend themselves in bad situations. Learning how to properly handle a gun is a good idea, in my opinion," Smith said.

The group also hopes to host classes where experts talk about firearm safety, safety tips and the law.

Not everyone in Kettering Students for Concealed Carry has
their CPL, but they all have interest in discussing policy change.

"Why should you feel any different on a college campus than
in public?" asked Blaise Friery, a member of the KSCC.